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BC Foundation awards over $10k in grants for 17-18 SY

Boyd County Foundation For Children, Inc. Announces Grant Recipients for the 2017-2018 School Year

The Boyd County Foundation For Children (BCFFC), a non-profit organization which operates autonomously from the district, has chosen to award over $10,000 in total grant funding for the next school year.

The Foundation’s board of directors met on Thursday, May 11, 2017 to discuss the funding requests from teachers throughout the district. A total of 25 grant applications were received and 13 teacher projects were awarded funding, most of which were at or near $1,000 each. The Foundation decided in 2016 to increase the usual amount given from $500 to $1,000.

The following grant proposals were awarded funding:

Larry Salyers and Nikki Provost, Cannonsburg Elementary, $1,000 for “Keep Calm and Love Archery”
Archery in one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. With the increase in hand-held technology, more and more students are lacking in daily, physical activity. This project will involve students in grades 3 through 5 and will allow students, who may not be able to participate in other types of sports activities, the opportunity to be a part of a team.

Sheri Henry, Ponderosa Elementary, $1,000 for “Reading Eggs – 2017-2018”
“Reading Eggs” is a computer-based program that is aligned with the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts. The program gives students a one-on-one learning environment where they can learn at a rate that suits their reading level, ability and progress. This project has been funded for the past 2 years by the Foundation For Children.

Missy Jackson and Brent McDonie, Boyd County High School, $1,000 for “Flipping the Spanish Classroom with Chrome Books and Modern Technology”
The purchase of 30 Chrome Book computers for the high school’s Spanish classes will enable students to flip from using textbook Spanish, to using a virtual environment where students will learn, hear and converse in the language that’s more in line with conversational Spanish. This grant will be partially funded by the Foundation with the bulk of the funds provided by the high school and the technology department.

Jill McGlone, Boyd County Preschool, $937 for “Literacy, Literacy Everywhere”
BCFFC funds will be combined with a grant from First Books to create a Pre-K Literacy Day. The day’s activities will include travel to Boyd County High where teachers will: perform a book on stage, provide hands-on activities to reinforce concepts in math, reading, science, putting the events of a story in order, and geography. Funds will also be used to create activities the preschool students will take home with them.

Rhonda Loos, Summit Elementary, $932.54 for “Building a Better Future”
This project will provide students an opportunity to create robots using LEGO® WeDo kits. Students will learn how to build and program the robots to do simple tasks, inspiring them to become problem-solvers while learning how to program and engineer.

Teresa Cassity, Cannonsburg Elementary, $600 for “Constitution Day”
For the past 15 years, Cannonsburg Elementary has presented a student production exploring our country’s Constitution. Students perform the play for parents and community members dressed as constitutional-era characters. Over time, the handmade costumes worn by students have aged and are in need of replacement. BCFFC funds will be used to buy new costume pieces.

Anita Griffith, Ramey-Estep High School, $882 for “Caught by a Kiss and Other Forensics Investigations”
Students will use current forensics techniques and DNA analysis for comparison of crime scene evidence. Each activity will focus on problem-solving from different crime scenes and will include blood analysis, microscopic analysis, chemistry and fingerprinting.

Mary Leigh Lewis, Boyd County High School, $1,000 for “Summer Science Camp”
For the third consecutive year, this 2-day weekend event will incorporate inquiry-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities that are aligned with the National Science Standards. Students will perform investigations in physics, engineering, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and earth/space science. The camp will be hosted by the 2017-2018 Boyd County High School Science Olympiad Team and provide learning opportunities to any district student in the 3rd through the 6th grade.

Christe Griffith, Cannonsburg Elementary, $1,000 for “Study Island Proficient Paradise”
Grades 3 through 5 will use the Study Island program to achieve proficiency in reading, math, science and social studies. The program provides lessons, videos, games and assessments with standard-based learning activities used in both the classroom and at home.

Early Childhood Learning Center-North Preschool Teachers, $420 for “My Big World with Clifford”
Clifford the Big Red Dog will introduce students, through a non-fiction magazine, to seasonal, science and social themes. This will provide an additional avenue to prepare children for kindergarten by building knowledge, language and literacy.

Lora Parsons, Boyd County Middle School, $500 for “The Uglies Novel Study”
The novel “The Uglies” has been found by Ms. Parsons to be a top tool in her language arts box. This novel has been used with great success in the past. However, the classroom copies are tattered and worn from use. This novel engages students to want to read as well as delves into middle school themes such as the value of one’s outward appearance versus the importance of the mind.

Becky Lynch, Boyd County High School, $240 for “Boyd’s Bistro Business Center”
Students in the Culinary Arts Department will be designing a business center for their student-led learning experience. With Quick Books software, students will learn the proper business procedures for running a small business. The program will give students a ‘real world’ experience in computer data input for tracking inventory, invoicing, and record keeping.

Annie Johnson, Catlettsburg Elementary, $500 for “Alice in Wonderland”
Boyd County students in grades 4 through 9 will be able to audition for this district-wide production. In addition to exposure to the auditioning process, students will be learning all the elements of theatre; building sets, costumes, props, scenery and the terminology of the stage.

A special recognition for the recipients of these grants will be held during the May 23, 2017 Boyd County Board of Education meeting.

The Foundation board agreed to expend nearly 25% of its funds this year and hopes to be able to continue the grant process for years to come. However, at the current rate of distribution, the board anticipates only 4 to 5 more years of awarding grants.

“We are always looking for new ways to fund our endowment and are always open to suggestions from anyone who realizes the importance of the activities and learning experiences they provide for Boyd County’s students,” said Marc Rosen, President of the Foundation.

You may make your tax deductible gift to the Boyd County Foundation For Children by contacting the District Liaison at 606-928-4141.